Registered Nurse; RN - Outpatient; PACT​/Wisconsin Rapids CBOC

Summary

The Outpatient Staff Registered Nurse (RN) is responsible for providing competent evidence‑based outpatient care to assigned patients and oversight of licensed vocational nurses and nursing assistants as appropriate to the setting. The incumbent will work on the Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) at Tomah VA Medical Center's Community‑Based Outreach Clinic (CBOC) in Wisconsin Rapids.

• English Language Proficiency – In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403(f) – no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English.
• Graduate of a school of professional nursing approved by the appropriate accrediting agency and accredited by one of the following: ACEN or CCNE.
• Master’s level bridge program candidates may become registered if they have completed coursework equivalent to a bachelor’s level degree in Nursing and obtain a state license before graduation. Upon obtaining a license, they may be appointed on a temporary basis and later converted to a permanent appointment after successful completion of the bridge program. (Reference: VA Handbook 5005 – Appendix G6).
• Foreign graduate candidates must possess a current, full, active, and unrestricted registration and have completed a formal degree equivalency validation accepted by VA (e.g., International Consultants of Delaware). Qualifications also require a graduate professional Nurse registration in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or DC.
• Graduate Nurse Technician (GNT) Exception – Candidates meeting basic education but lacking licensure may be appointed at the entry step of the grade and level applicable to the completed education on a 120‑day temporary appointment, extendable up to two years on a case‑by‑case basis. Grandfathering provision applies to current VHA personnel in 0610 series.
• Grade Determinations – Scope, Education, and Dimension criteria determine grade and level. Dimensions include Practice, Veteran/Patient Driven Care, Leadership, Professional Development, and Evidence‑Based Practice/Research. Specific requirements are detailed in the online assessment: (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). Questionnaire/.
• Education and Experience Requirements for Grade I, II, III – (key points)
  • Grade I:
    Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma – no extra professional nursing needed; or BSN with no extra experience.
  • Grade II: BSN with 2 years of experience equivalent to Nurse I Level III; or MSN with one year of specialized experience; or related master’s with BSN and one year of experience.
  • Grade III: MSN or Doctoral with 2 years of specialized experience; or related master’s with BSN and two years of specialized experience.
• Preferred Experience – 1 year professional RN experience; previous clinic experience preferred.
• Physical Requirements – Includes duties normally associated with nurses: walking, standing, sitting, moderate lifting, bending, kneeling. Examples: significant time standing assisting patients, safe patient handling protocols.

• Responsible and accountable for all elements of the nursing process for direct patient care.
• Coordinate care focused on patient education, self‑management, and customer satisfaction across the care continuum.
• Assist in directing nursing education, orientation, competencies, and quality improvement initiatives.
• Demonstrate leadership in delivering and improving holistic outpatient care through collaborative strategies.
• Evaluate practices in an ongoing, evidence‑based process.
• Provide informal constructive feedback to peers.
• Foster a safe and supportive environment for professional development.
• Contribute nursing perspective in interdisciplinary discussions.
• Partner with others to effect change and achieve optimal outcomes.
• Support colleagues through knowledge sharing for safe, quality outpatient care.
• Participate in activities and strategies to sustain evidence‑based practice.
• Other duties as assigned.
• VA Total Rewards Package
  • Competitive salary, regular increases, performance award potential.
  • Paid Time Off:
    Up to 50 days per year (26 days annual leave, 13 days sick leave, 11 federal holidays).
  • Retirement:
    Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and 401(k) with up to 5% VA contribution.
  • Insurance:
    Federal health, vision, dental, term life, long‑term care (retro‑retirement carry‑over possible).
  • Licensure:
    One full, unrestricted license from any U.S. state, territory, or DC.
  • Work Schedule:
    
    07:30 – 16:00.
  • Telework:
    Not available; position is not virtual.
  • Relocation/Recruitment
    
    Incentives:
    
    Not authorized.
  • PCS:
    Not authorized.